Pride and Prejudice

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Rosamund Pike

Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's Summary

One of Jane Austen’s most beloved works, Pride and Prejudice, is vividly brought to life by Academy Award nominee Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl). In her bright and energetic performance of this British classic, she expertly captures Austen’s signature wit and tone. Her attention to detail, her literary background, and her performance in the 2005 feature film version of the novel provide the perfect foundation from which to convey the story of Elizabeth Bennet, her four sisters, and the inimitable Mr. Darcy. 

In Pride and Prejudice, the Bennet sisters try to find their way in the repressive strictures of 19th-century society. Austen shows the folly of judging by first impressions and the experience of falling in love, and she superbly describes a world which, despite being more than two centuries old, still resonates with modern concerns. 

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Public Domain (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"British actress Rosamund Pike is the perfect choice to narrate this novel of manners, and listening to her voice each of the iconic characters is great fun.... Austen's many devotees will savor this first-rate version of her charming novel." ( AudioFile)

Cant stand narration!

Narration was horrible! I couldn't force myself to listen to more then 15 mins of the book.

The voice for Mrs. Be

I could not get past the second chapter since the voice of Mrs Bennet was awful to my ears. I know she is supposed to be a somewhat annoying character, however, the voice that the narrator used for her character was unbearable.. I will try another narrator and hope for better luck.

Rosamund Pike = Perfection

Would you listen to Pride and Prejudice again? Why?

I would. Its a classic story and enjoyable each and every time. Rosamund Pike just has the most perfect voice to narrate this story!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It wasn't - sadly a little too long for one go.

A perfect narration of a perfect book

Where does Pride and Prejudice rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the second edition of Pride and Prejudice that I purchased - I already have an older version (different narrator) and I am so glad that I saw Rosamund Pike's name and immediately bought this one. It is absolute perfection. It has long been one my favorite books but with her priceless narration if is certainly going to be on of the Beloved ones.

Which character – as performed by Rosamund Pike – was your favorite?

Practically all of them. She is a brilliant narrator with magnificent voice and managed to make even Mrs Bennet tolerable - not a small feat in itself. Her Mr Bennet is fantastic (actually I think she did it better than Sutherlend's performance in the 2005 movie) - she managed to subtly underline a hint of malevolence in his humor which I personally think is there and most people do not pay attention to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me smile in sheer sensual pleasure all the time I listened to it (could not stop and listened through the night).

Any additional comments?

A wonderful audio book, simply wonderful. I hope this is not the last time I listen to something narrated by Rosamund Pike.

Smiling as I clean

Having loved the story since high school lit class, I have read my tattered copy of Pride & Prejudice nearly every year. I have etched out time to indulge in the long A & E movie version and when time eludes, enjoy the latest 2-hour version. Yet I have known that the vocabulary and its rightful owners had to be abridged and reassigned in the screenplays.

When I saw that Rosamund Pike (actress who portrayed Jane in latest movie) had recorded for Audible, I immediately put the book and a pair of headphones on my wish list.

Birthday gifts did not disappoint, and I have cleaned my house top to bottom, folded laundry, sat for a spell, all the while thoroughly enjoying this audio version. Ms Pike's voicings have made me smile and laugh out loud. Her Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine are hilarious. The encounters at Rosings were some of my favorites. What a treat to get the whole story in dramatic form. I feel satisfied and look forward to listening again and again.

Beautiful story, beautiful voice but . . .

Would you try another book from Jane Austen and/or Rosamund Pike?

Yes to Jane Austen, and no to Rosamund Pike.

What other book might you compare Pride and Prejudice to and why?

Sense and Sensibility

Would you be willing to try another one of Rosamund Pike’s performances?

No

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes

Any additional comments?

The book is one of my favorites, but Rosamund Pike with her beautiful voice didn't do it justice. Some of her character voices were pretty bad, and sometimes she talked so fast you couldn't enjoy the prose. I was disappointed in this particular audiobook because of her performance. I'm a fan but sorry, Ms. Pike.

The Best. Ever.

Move over favorite P&P! This offering is the best I've heard, hands down, plus I could picture them all as they were in the movie that Rosamund was in (playing Jane). I thought I was done with this book. Rosamund showed me otherwise. Austen's powers soar with this reading.

A treat!

What can you say about a perfect novel given a nearly perfect reading? Just this: Rosamund Pike is the cat’s meow when it comes to Jane Austen.

Having read (and listened to) the novel several times, what I particularly noticed this time around is how insufferably foolish Mrs Bennet is. She’s always been that way, of course, but somehow it seems more prominent in Pike’s reading. It may be that her voice is of a somewhat higher pitch than usual, making her sound at times younger than I’ve always thought her. (Certainly from an emotional standpoint she is the same age as her hare-brained daughter Lydia.)

In any case, the narration is superb, the characters all finely drawn. The masterpiece that is Pride and Prejudice comes through brilliantly. I can’t wait to hear Rosamund Pike’s take on Sense and Sensibility as well.

An exceptional narration of a great novel.

If you could sum up Pride and Prejudice in three words, what would they be?

Character, manners, and folly.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Elizabeth Bennet is the story.

What about Rosamund Pike’s performance did you like?

She gives a lively and nuanced reading, showing a well-known story in a fresh aspect.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but I forced myself to go slower and enjoy the details.

Any additional comments?

I am familiar with P&P, and have the Lindsay Duncan performance, which I like, and had thought was the best available. Now I believe the Rosamund Pike narration is even better, more lively, subtle and interesting.

Did not like

I loved this movie and wanted to listen to the book. But the voice they chose to read this book was a mistake. Could not get past the first page. To high pitched and irritating while you are trying to drive down a busy street, after a long day. Not the voice you want to hear.

Loved Rosamund

Loved Rosamund's narration - there are so many versions of this book in film and actors, but I truly enjoyed how she'd done it. I hope she will do many more books - especially, perhapd, classics?

Perfect

One of my all time favourite books beautifully read. If you love this book I don't think you'll be disappointed.

My favorite classic

Pride and Prejudice will always be my favorite book of them all. I have read it so many times and now listened to it for the first..because when I saw Rosamund's name, I just had to buy it. And I was not disappointed. Her voice were amazing, I extremely loved her portrayal of the ever annoying Mrs. Bennett.

Rosamund makes this even more wonderful!

So enjoyed reading this classic, and this was the best way to do it. Everything was 5 stars, especially the narration

Oh Dear!

Any additional comments?

I bought this version of Pride and Prejudice because of the fabulous reviews about Rosamund Pike’s narration and, goodness, was I wrong to do this. Her performance was almost comical for the voices portraying men and the voice she came up with for Mrs Bennet bordered on something you might hear a child performing at the local school play. I don’t want to be this insulting about Ms Pike but I feel like I’ve been misled into buying a version of this book that I find irritating to listen to. The language is so beautiful and it needs to be delivered as naturally as possible in a clear and precise manner. Ms Pike stumbles awkwardly over the words for the male characters and seems to run out of breath during many of the speeches eventually mumbling into an incoherent hum. I really don’t know why there are so many rave reviews about her performance but don’t buy this version is you want a decent delivery.

Rosamund pike <3

Jane Austen's words and Rosamund's voice equals perfection. A really wonderful listen that I didn't want to end.
Just stunning!

A great performance of a classic. Now Whispersync

Anyone who loves the classics in audio book needs to know about Whispersync regardless of if you choose to use it or not. The reason for this is that Audible usually gives a drastically reduced price for people who have the kindle edition of a book and since the majority of the classics are free on kindle, books like Pride and Prejudice and hopefully David Copperfield when it's brought out, become incredibly cheap when they are made Whispersync. So if you haven't already, I'd suggest going to Amazon and 'buying' the free edition of Pride and Prejudice, then seeing the price difference on here before you choose to spend your credit on it.

Review

Just perfect, I couldn't believe how good Rosamund Pike's voice acting talents are, I knew she'd be brilliant at the women but to manage to do such a good job with all the different ranges of the men too was really something. **spoiler**As for that ballroom scene where every single member of her family embarrasses Elisabeth apart from Jane, I've never felt the need to cringe like that when reading the book or watching the series. Pike brings the whole thing to life pulling no punches, even in her portrayal of Mr Bennett, who though much beloved by his daughters and usually seen through rose tinted glasses, does hold a large amount of blame for the difficulties that befall his daughters in the book.

Disappointed

I downloaded this book on the basis of other reviews, but I was sorely disappointed. Ms Pikes voice was monotone and her range of ‘voices’ very limited. I am always careful to read the reviews and choose books whose narrators have good ones which is important in an audio book.

Brilliantly narrated classic!

Pike performed wonderfully, such a pleasure to listen to! Only Mrs Bennet was slightly irritating vocally...otherwise - flawless!

a classic revisited

loved it; the language is just wonderful, beautifully read by Rosamund Pike, a trip back in time